Meet Menno Kluiters, our new Curator and self-confessed “tree geek” bringing 25 years of arborist expertise to New Zealand’s National Arboretum. Eastwoodhill Arboretum has entered a new chapter of growth with the appointment of a new curator, a strengthened board, and a revitalised plan for member engagement and visitor experiences. Gisborne’s Menno Kluiters, an internationally respected arborist has been appointed as curator to New Zealand’s national arboretum.

 

Kluiters is no stranger to the arboretum having pruned some of the collection’s important trees. Now stepping into the curator’s role, he will oversee the scientific and conservation integrity of the arboretum’s 15,000-plus specimens from 81 countries.“Getting a curator on board is paramount because our collection is our identity,” says Eastwoodhill board chair Mike Torrie. “If we don’t have the right person with the right skillset looking after the collection, then we are not doing it justice.”

 

The curator’s role goes beyond plant health and taxonomy. It encompasses acquisition, documentation, preservation, education, and collaborative research. Torrie says Kluiters will help transform Eastwoodhill’s tree space and help realise its long-term vision of becoming a living repository and refuge for endangered tree species. His arrival also supports Eastwoodhill’s 100-year master plan, now entering its fifteenth year. Kluiters and his family will reside in the historic Eastwoodhill homestead. A self-confessed “tree geek” Kluiters brings 25-years of experience as an arborist to the role.

 

“This collection of trees is complex, and requires very careful management and manipulation, and care. I’m looking forward to living onsite amongst the collection, meeting the team, and helping take on that responsibility.” Kluiters begins as curator in May. Later this year he will be one of only two New Zealanders to present at the International Society of Arboriculture conference in Christchurch. Last year Kluiters was asked to speak at the International Dendrology Society annual general meeting in England on post-cyclone tree failure patterns in New Zealand.

 

Eastwoodhill’s renewed scientific leadership coincides with a reinvigorated board, now chaired by Torrie, with Anna Roberts as deputy chair. Newly appointed board member Max Matenga, Te Whānau a Kai, will lead Eastwoodhill’s cultural journey weaving iwi and Eastwoodhill history into a combined narrative. Torrie says the board is focused on action. “Eastwoodhill is a self-sufficient charity organisation. Despite being the national arboretum, we currently receive no central or local government funding. Our revenue comes from members, visitors, and new ventures we create.”

 

Among those ventures are exciting projects set to enhance visitor experiences and increase membership. Premium visitor packages — including transport, accommodation, catering, and guided tours — will cater to families, retirees, and international guests seeking immersive, all-inclusive experiences. Eastwoodhill general manager Garrett Blair says with a passionate team of horticulturists, groundspeople, and support staff — praised for their commitment in restoring the arboretum after Cyclone Gabrielle — Eastwoodhill is poised to expand its reach. A major push is underway to expand the Friends of Eastwoodhill membership beyond the current 750 members. Friends are entitled to unlimited access to the arboretum and other benefits such as half-price discounts for up to five guests. “Being a Friend provides you with the opportunity to be part of a legacy,” says Blair. “Eastwoodhill is one of those places that is truly special. We invite people to be part of that vision.”

 

The Friends also play an integral role in preserving Eastwoodhill’s future. Friends can volunteer in the visitor’s centre, gift shop, gardens, and help with catering, fundraising events and holiday programmes. This November marks a special milestone with a public commemoration of the Millennial Wood. Planted in 2000, it comprises over 1,000 trees, many donated and hand-planted in honour of loved ones. Nearly 25 years on, it is a memorial and a celebration of enduring connections to Eastwoodhill.

 

Meanwhile, Eastwoodhill’s Tree Cathedral designed in the shape of Westminster Abbey, is continuing to grow into a striking botanical structure. In the future, visitors will walk through living columns and vaults formed by trees with contrasting textures and seasonal hues. To become a part of this fantastic space, join our community ‘Friends of Eastwoodhill’ and be part of something truly extraordinary that began when Douglas Cook planted those first seedlings. To become a ‘Friend’, head too members page and sign up!